"It's one of my favorites," Kim said. "Bach has a special place in my heart. Although he came from a religious family, his music is full of the love of God without being denominational. There is a spiritual side to music that can lift you. I'm a Christian and to play this glorious music that he wrote - I just hope I can be a vessel and let that music speak through me."

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Kim started playing piano at the age of 4. Her earliest memories from childhood are of a house full of music. Her parents, while not musicians, had a love of music and an appreciation for the talent their young daughter exhibited.

By 10, Kim had her orchestral debut with the
Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra
, which led to a return engagement with that orchestra in a nationally televised concert.

Shortly after that, Kim's family moved to the United States, staying with relatives in California and settling in that state.

"My parents moved for my career," Kim said. "They wanted to give me every opportunity and expose me to great teachers."

At first, Kim's parents thought of sending her to Julliard's pre-college, but she was so young they thought better of it and kept her close to home.

When she was 17, she entered
The Julliard School
where she earned a bachelor's and master's in music. She was the recipient of the Arthur Rubenstein Award there. Since that time she has garnered top prizes in national and international competitions.

"I travel extensively with my music," said Kim. "I was just in China and Korea last summer, Recently I went from performing in Bangor, Maine, to a performance in Tokyo. It's such an organic and whole experience traveling and performing. You grow with the experience. It changes you."

Kim, now 30, thrills to connect with her audience. She loves to have people come up to her after a performance and tell her about their experience listening to her play. She finds the experience exhilarating and exciting.

"My goal is to touch people in a special way," Kim said. "Some people think classical music is old-fashioned. But taken by itself, it's awesome. It speaks to every generation. I hope there will be a revival of public appreciation of classical music."

Kim sees hope for that wish when she performs for children. In a recent Christmas concert in Honduras, children attending had an outpouring of response to the music.

"They came up to me after the concert, grabbing at me, holding on to me. I was touched by that," Kim said.

The experience made Kim think of her own childhood and her early introduction to classical music.

"It's kind of strange and wonderful to have been introduced to music when you're little," she said. "It becomes part of you. When you connect with music, it's as real as it can get."

"I remember reading that someone said, 'Music is what feelings sound like.' That's so true," Kim said. "When I play, I express my heart through music. It's a unique and special gift that is wonderful to share."



Michelle Kim's performance with The Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra is Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Ave., Ridgefield. For more information, call the RSO office at (203)438-3889 or visit the Web site
www.ridgefieldsymphony.org
.